Scott

McCarron

McCarron has made 250 cuts in his PGA TOUR career but hasn’t been able to cash in any of his four 2012 starts. Ranking third in driving accuracy and second in total putting means the weakness is in his iron play. He ranks 178th in GIR.

He hasn’t cashed in any of his six starts this year. His actual scoring average in 14 rounds is 75.36 and he has yet to break 71. The 46-year-old has Past Champion status and zero fantasy value.

McCarron was given the last sponsor exemption into the field. He missed the cut by 16 strokes at the Humana Challenge and his lone top 30 in 11 starts at the Farmers occurred in 2005 when he shared sixth place.

No news has surfaced on why the veteran has been sidelined for what is now 11 weeks. His website and Twitter page haven’t been updated all year. He missed the cut in all six of his appearances through Bay Hill. McCarron has conditional status on the PGA TOUR, so if he’s out due to a medical or personal matter, he’d assumingly qualify for a Non-exempt Medical Extension if he needs one for 2013. The three-time PGA TOUR winner will turn 47 years of age on July 10.

Playing with conditional status this season, he missed the cut in all of his six starts culminating with the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. According to the June 17 article linked below, he’s not injured, choosing rather to spend time with his family and on other pursuits including broadcasting. He turns 47 on July 10, so he’s in that void between staying competitive on the PGA TOUR and the opportunity that awaits on the Champions Tour at the age of 50. “It is difficult going to these tournaments and not playing,” he said. “I saw a bunch of the guys I hadn’t seen in a couple of months. Guys call me every week just to see how I’m doing.” Given his choice not to play, we have removed him from our Injury Report.

Last time we checked in on the veteran, he has called it a year due to personal reasons, not an injury. He has conditional status, so it’s possible that he’ll start 2013 on a Non-exempt Medical Extension. He’s expecting recovery period of 3-4 months, which takes us into the new season. McCarron missed all six of his cuts earlier this year.

McCarron capitalized on his hot start at Seaside last week, finishing with a share of sixth place at The McGladrey Classic after opening with a 64. The top 10 exempted him into the field at Disney World for his 11th appearance in the event. He’s 145th on the money list.

McCarron received a sponsor exemption when Brian Davis withdrew. The American missed the cut at last week’s Soboba Golf Classic on the Nationwide Tour. He last played the PGA TOUR at the Wyndham Championship where he finished season-high T12. In 13 career starts in Vegas, McCarron has four top fives but none since 2003.

McCarron has to be kicking himself a bit tonight. He hit 13 (of 14) fairways for the second straight day but only 10 greens in regulation. Through 36 holes, that’s 26 fairways and only 25 GIR! That he suffered only two bogeys today was a minor triumph.

Like many, McCarron is running out of time. He entered the week ranked 163rd on the money list, but he played like a world-beater today hitting 13 (of 14) fairways, 15 greens and burying eight birdies, which co-led the field at the time he finished. Five of those conversions disappeared from beyond 12 feet, including attempts of 45'1" and 24'5" at the 17th and seventh holes, respectively.